Centrifugal separator



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` 0. B. PECK. GENTRIBUGAL SEPARATOR.

No. msoza.v Patented May 19, 1896.

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GBNTRIPUGAL SBPARATOR.

Patented May 19, 1896.-

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ENTRIFUGAL SEPARATOR.

4Padaamserd May 19 Zorn ` In en ANDREW EGRAHANLPHUTO-LITHDWASHINGTDLUQ UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIGE.

ORRIN B. PECK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO MELINDA vPECK, OF

'i SAME j PLACE.

CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.V56O,628, dated May 19, 189B.

Application filed MMSI-1 28| 1394 To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ORRIN B. PECK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of `Cook and State of Illinois,

' 5 have invented a new and useful Improvement in Centrifugal Separators, of which the following is a specification.

My improvement relates more particularly to centrifugal ore-separators, and has for its 1o principal object the provision of a machine for effecting the more perfect separation of materials Vof different degrees of specific gravity when in a finely-divided state by imparting variable shocks or vibrations to the 1 5 separating-surface while the material thereon is being subjected to centrifugal force and opposing forces. I attain this object by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whichzo Figure l is a top plan view ofi the entire machine. Fig. 2 is a central vertical longitudinal section through the treatment vessel, part of the separating-cylinder being shown in elevation.

for actuating the liquid-valve. Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the mechanism for actuating the material-valve, taken on the line et of Fig. l. Fig. is a central vertical longitudinal section of a modification of my improved machine. Fig. Gis a detail in elevation of the vibrating beater or hammer of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional detail on the line 7 of Fig. 5, and Fig. S is a partial cen- 3 5 tral vertical longitudinal section of a modification of the treatment vessel.

Like letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

A designates a base-plate upon which is 4o mounted in standards A' A', in which it is journaled, the outer supporting-frame A2 of the treatment vessel, preferably of cylindrical form. This supporting-frame `may be continuous, as shown in Figs. l and 2, or may be in sections, as in the modiiication illustrated in Fig. 5. On its exterior is provided a belt surface or pulley B, by which it is rotated by a belt from a pulley B on the counter-shaft C. This counter-shaftis driven by Fig.A 3 is a sectional detail onI 25 the line 3 of Fig. l, showing the mechanism a pulley B2, belted to any suitable source of 5o power.

Within the supporting-cylinder is an intermediate or separating cylinder h, of comparatively light or thin material, provided with a separating-surface b' and yieldingly and mov- 55 ably supported within the supporting-cylinder by means of elastic pieces or rings c c' c, preferably of rubber. These rings are tightly enough compressed between the two cylinders `to insure their rotating together at prac- 6o tically the same speed, while allowing the longitudinal vibratory movement of the separating-cylinder hereinafter described. The ring c, which is at the feed end of the treatment vessel, is annularly recessed at CZ, and into this recess projects a flange d on the end of the separating-cylinder, forming a practically water-tight joint and serving as a packing to prevent the material and liquid from passing between the cylinders. This ring 7o c, as well as the other rings c', is provided upon its exterior surface with an annular projection D, which fits into an annular groove D in the interior surface of the supporting-cylinder, for the purpose of preventing the longitudinal displacement of said rings by the vibratory movement imparted by the separating-cylinder.

At the discharge end of the separating-cylinder, which projects beyond the supporting- 8o cylinder, is secured a ring E, having a groove EQ formed by projecting annular flanges. A lever e, pivoted to the base-plate, spreads to embrace the cylinder within the groove E/ and has upon its opposite sides enlargements e', 85 which bear against the inner surfaces of the flanges. The upper end of this lever is pivoted to a crank-shaft F, journaled in standards supported upon the base-plate and driven from a transverse shaft F' through the 9o gears ff.

The shaft F carries upon its opposite extremity av friction wheel or roll G, adj ustably secured thereon by a set-screw, which bears against the surface of a friction-disk G' upon 95 the end of the counter-shaft C. By the adj ustment of the friction-roll toward or from i the center of the disk varying degrees of speed of rotation may be imparted to the crankshaft, thus varyin g the intensity of the shocks or vibrations imparted to the separating-cylinder longitudinally of its aXis of rotation by the rapid rotation of said shaft.

The cylinder Z1 projects at its discharge end into a hood Il, from which lead branch pipes H' Il2 to receive and separately conduct away heavier and lighter material, the entrance to these pipes from the hood being controlled by a valve 7L, which may be adjusted as desired.

Vithin the separating-cylinder extends the inner agitating or feeding shaft or cylinder, passing through a stuiiing-box 7L' in the end of the supporting-cylinder, the elastic packing of which may be compressed as desired by means of a threaded gland or plug h2 to insure a practically water-tight joint. It is journaled in standards l' l', secured to the base-plate, and rotated by means of a pulley l2, belted to a pulley Z on an intermediate counter-shaft C', which is driven by a belt passing over the pulley 'Z' and Z2 on the intermediate counter-shaft and main countershaft, respectively, thus rotating the inner cylinder in the opposite direction from the separating-cylinder. This inner cylinder is cylindrically recessed at K, and into this recess projects a non-rotatable pipe K', passing through a stuffing-box k similar in construction to 7L'. This pipe is for the purpose of in troducing material and liquid, from which it passes by means of orifices Zt" at the other eX- tremity of the recess into the channel or passage between the separating and inner cylinders, where it is carried to the separatingsurface and the heavier substances precipitated by the action of centrifugal force and the vibration, while the lighter are suspended in the liquid. The suspension of this lighter portion is assisted by the agitation produced by projections or pins 7a2, arranged upon the exterior of the inner cylinder and along its entire length. This cylinder also serves as a deilector to guide the material along in prox* imity to the separating-surface, and the channel it forms therewith insures the retention of a body of water which, while it keeps all material entirely submerged, will also hold it closely enough to the separating-surface to keep it within the field of action of the vibration without this being unduly violent.

W'ith the pipe K' communicate pipes L L', which deliver material and liquid, respectively, thereto. ln these pipes are valves Z Z', which are automatically actuated by cams M M', bearing against rollers m m', carried upon the outer extremity of the valve-stems. These cams are mounted upon one end of a suitably-supported shaft S, having at its opposite extremity a worin-wheel S', which engages with a worm S2 upon the end of the short transverse shaft s, also carrying a friction wheel or roll adjustably secured thereon bymeans of a set-screw. This friction-wheel is rotated by contact with the face of a frio tion-disk s2 on the counter-shaft C, thus causing the rotation of the cams ill M'. The adjustment of the friction-wheel s' toward and from the center of the disk by changing the speed of rotation of the cam alters the rate at which the valves are actuated, thus varying the length and frequency of the periods during which material and liquid are fed. The rollers m m' are held constantly against the cams by means of spiral springs m2 m2, interposed between the valve and ad j usiable collars N N, whose position on the valve-stem may be varied by means of set-screws, thus adjusting the tension of the springs.

Zhen a separating vessel or cylinder is used of sufficiently large diameter to permit an accumulation or head of liquid at the receiving end to secure by the centrifugal force generated therein the desired force of flow through the same, the packing boxes are preferably dispensed with.

The operation of the device is as follows: At the beginning of the period of separation the roller of valve Z is at the point x on the surface of the cam M. The valve is open to its fullest extent, and material in a finelydivided state and mingled with a suitable quantity of liquid, preferably water, is fed into the pipe K'. At the same instant the roller of the valves Z' is at the point y on the cam M' and the valve is partially closed, causing a sufficient amount of liquid, preferably water, to be introduced into the pipe to allow the material on the separating-surface t0 be submerged, and thus cause the lighter IOO material to be wholly or partially suspended therein and carried through the vessel by the impellent force of the liquid. The supporting frame or cylinder, carrying with it the light intermediate or separating cylinder, be ing rapidly rotated by pulley B, the centrifugal force developed causes the material to assume a position along the separating-surface about its circumference, while the shocks or vibrations to which the separating-surface is subjected by the part contacting therewith assists in effecting separation, causing the heavier of the material lodged on the separating surface to be precipitated or settled thro ugh the lighter portion approaching more closely t0 such surface. At the same time the movement of the pins through the liquid near the surface of the accumulated material, and traveling in an opposite direction thereto, causes an agitation of the lighter portion and further assists in its separation and discharge. As the separation continues and material gathers on the separating-surface, decreasing the area of the channel, and thus causing a greater velocity of flow therethrough, the feed of material is gradually decreased by the rotation of cam M closing the valve Z. The flow of liquid is similarly gradually decreased by the closure of valve Z' by the increasing radius of cam M', thus preventing the erosion of the surface of the accumulated IIO heavy material, which would ordinarily have resulted had the rate of iiow been allowed to remain constant as the material accumulated during separation and caused the carrying away of heavier substances with the lighter. This closure continues until the point at of the material-controlling cam comes under the roller, when the valve l isabruptly closed, while the valve Z is suddenly widely opened as its roller reaches the point y on the surface of the cam M This causes a rush of liquid into the treatment vessel, washing away the heavier material from the surface and discharging it into the arm of the branch pipe II?, the valve 7L having been properly adj usted to receive it. The adjustment of the friction-wheels G and s allows the intensity of the vibration and the period of separation and discharge to be varied irrespective of the degree of agitation or the intensity of centrifugal force.

In the modification illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 the supporting frame or cylinder, instead of being continuous, is made in two sections O O', journaled respectively in bearings 0 o o, secured to the base-plate. It has means provided for imparting shocks or vibrations to the separating-surface in a direction longitudinal to the axis of rotation and also transverse thereto. The former is accomplished by somewhat different mechanism from that shown in Figs. 1 and 2. A lever Pis pivoted at its lower end to the baseplate and engages with its upper extremity the iianges of a ring P', placed between the supporting-cylinders. This lever is pivotally, and preferably adj ustably, connected bya rod j) to a crank-shaft p, suitably driven by means of a pulley p2, thus imparting by its rotation longitudinal shocks or vibrations to the separating-cylinder. The rod p is forked at the end which engages the lever I, extending on opposite sides of the same and having set-screws p3, the inner ends of which extend into a series of indentations p4 in the lever. By changing the point of attachment of the connecting-rod toward or from the fulcrum of the lever the throw of the lever, and therefore the extent of vibratory movement of the separating-cylinder, may be varied. Upon the bearings o o are supported brackets Q, carrying a shaft Q, upon which is secured the rotary beater q, having hinged to its projecting armsstriking-hammers q. `This shaft Q is rotated by means of a pulley q2, suitably driven, and is so placed with regard to the separating-cylinder that during its rotation the hammers successively strike upon the exterior thereof,` thus imparting transverse shocks or vibrations to the separating-surface.

To protect the interior of the separatingcylinder from the wear or attrition produced by the passage of material over it, it is provided with a removable lining or covering R of flexible materiahpreferably rubber. This,

as it becomes worn, may be readily replaced by a new lining.

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 8 the elastic rings which are interposed between the supporting and separating cylinders, instead of being plane upon their inner surface, are furnished with circumferential grooves r, into which extend circumferential projection r/ upon the exterior of the separating-cylinder. This engagement resists the movement of said cylinder through the ring, and by the elasticity of the material causes quicker and more abrupt change in the direction and therefore sharper shocks or vibrations to be imparted thereto in its longitudinal movement.

The three portions of the treatment vessel have been for convenience termed cylinders, though this form is not in all cases essential to the operation, and any other might be employed by which Ithe desired result would be obtained, and it is to be understood that the word is used in this generic sense in both description and claims.

The elastic material interposed between the separating and supporting cylinders need -not be formed as acontinuous ring, but may be in sections of any desired length. When the means of support of the light separating-cylinder are elastic rings, as shown, only a slight longitudinal or vibratory movement is intended to be effected; but, if desired, such supporting means may be modied to allow a greater movement, permitting the cylinder to slide or reciprocate through them.

It is obvious that many changes and modifications in the details of construction of various parts of the mechanism herein described may be made as desired by the constructor or to best suit the varied conditions under which the machine is operated without departing from my invention.

In my application filed March 28, 1894, Serial No. 505,410@ claim certain features shown and described but not claimed herein..

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of three rotatable cylinders one within the other, the intermediate one of which is provided with a separating surface upon which the material is in a submerged state, and means for vibrating said intermediate cylinder, substantially as described.

2. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a rotatable vessel or cylinder, a cylinder provided with a separating-surface upon which the material is in a submerged state supported therein vibratable independently of the outer vessel, and means moving through the body of liquid therein for effecting agitation, substantially as described.

3. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a rotatable supporting cylinder or frame, an independently-vibratable separating-surface, and a de Elector for guiding mate- IOO IIO

rial along near said surface, substantially as described.

4. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a rotatable cylinder, a light or thin cylinder located therein, flexible means interposed between the cylinders to support the inner', and means for vibrating said inner cylinder by securing a longitudinal movement through the supports, substantially as described.

5. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a rotatable supporting cylinder or frame, a vibratable cylinder located therein, rubber pieces interposed to support the saine, and means for effecting the desired vibration by securing a longitudinal movement thro ugh the supports, substantially as described.

6. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a rotatable supporting cylinder or frame, and a portion having an independently vibratable separating surface, yieldable supports for such surface, and a packing for preventing material from passing between it and the cylinder, substantially as described.

7. In a centrifugal separator, the, combination of two or more rotatable cylinders one Within the other, one of which is provided With a separating surface upon which the material is in a submerged state, means for effecting the suspension of lighter substances by vibrating the same in directions longitudinal and transverse to the axis of rotation, and means moving through the body of liquid for effecting agitation Within the separator, substantially as described.

8. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of tWo rotatable cylinders one Within the other, the outer one of which is provided with a separating surface, and independently movable means for effecting the suspension of lighter substances by vibrating the same, substantially as described.

9. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a rotatable separating-surface, means for vibrating thesame, and adjustable speedgearing for varying the intensity of vibration of the separating-surface, substantially as described.

ORRIN B. PECK.

itnessesz M. L. ALLEN, R. H. GARMAN.

It is hereby certied that Letters Patent No. 560,628, granted 4May 19, 1896, upon the application of Orrin B. Peck, of Chicago, Illinois, for an improvement in Centrifugal Separatore, were erroneously issued to Melinda Peck as sole owner of the been issued to The Patent Title Company, of same place, said The Patent Title `Company being assignee, by mesne assigninvention; Whereas said Letters Patent should have ments, of the entire interest in said invention, as shown by the assignments oi' record in this Office; and that the said Letters therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oce.

Signed, countersigned, andsealed this 23d day of June, A. D. 1896.

Patent shouldbe read with this correction [SEAL] JNO. M. REYNOLDS,

Assistant Secretary of the Interior. Countersigned z S. T. FISHER,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

